Some things I can easily do with my autism. Some things I can’t possibly do. But most things simply have a price tag. The cost isn’t paid in money but in migraines, sanity, and sometimes suicidal ideation. But for the sake of this essay, I’ll use money as a token for those other things.
Saying hi to random stranger on walk $1
Phone calls $10
Itchy clothing $5
High heels $600
Makeup $15
Boredom $200
Meetings $300
Going shopping for my own clothes $500
Talking to sales person $1000
Tasting a new food $15
Trying a new activity or technology $45
Perfume $10-100 (depending on time and extent if exposure)
Conversation with stranger $200
Noisy party $1000
Concert $10,000
I love how you've broken this down and allocated different values to the different activities. I wish our daughter was able to express herself like this, I have a feeling it would make life easier in some ways to know what's most difficult!
Although I would assign different amounts to various items and possibly put negative costs on tasting new food and trying new technology (two of my special interests that benefit me greatly), I heartily agree!!! (The torture of shopping for clothes might cost me the most of these things if I have to do it with a friend.)